Barbara Girion

This was one of my absolute favorite books when I was ten years old, and I remember it as being about two girls from different backgrounds and how they overcame shyness and irritation at their different cultures to be friends. One girl is absolutely appalled that her dad is going to a reservation to provide health services and will be taking the family along - after all, most of the comforts she knows in the city (or suburb, even) don't exist there. The other girl is angry that white people are coming and interfering in her and her family's daily lives, and possibly even coming to gawk like they're on display.

I wasn't particularly fascinated by the depiction of life on the reservation because of an interest in American Indians or anything, but rather because I enjoyed learning about traditions and ways of living that were different to my own. I mark this book as one that helped develop my interest in cultural anthropology (especially folklore).

I misplaced the book at some point years ago and haven't even thought of it until recently, but I wonder what I would think of it now that I'm more aware of racism and the way even well-meaning people can present completely prejudiced or condescending or downright mistaken things about other cultures. I'm almost afraid to dig the book up again to read it and have my nostalgic memories shattered.… (more)

*spoiler warning*

I read this book at the perfect time, having just gotten a puppy of my own. Thankfully, I doubt I was ever as selfish as Kim was throughout the first half of the book. I understand that having a stay-at-home mom suddenly decide to start working must be a huge change for everyone in the house, but Kim didn't even care about her mom's reasons for doing it. She just kept thinking over and over about how much it inconvienienced *her*, having to watch her little brother and having more responsibilities and such, and even repeatedly wished that her mom would quit the job.
Anyways, the book was a little slow at first, with trying to get a dog, finding some way to hide it, etc etc, but when things started happening... WOW. What ended up happening with Mrs. Mac had me sneaking reading time 'cause I couldn't put it down, and I *never* expected what happened at the end. It really showed how much Kim grew and matured throughout the book. And, as usual with such a wonderful, well-written book, it made me cry. Happy tears. Mostly.… (more)